Clinical Research Nurse | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester

This post presents an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated nurse, interested in helping to improve patient outcomes to join the Rare Tumour Research Team as a Band 6 Clinical Research Nurse. The team cares for patients in Neuro‑oncology, sarcoma and the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) patient populations. The role will be working across all 3 of these groups, giving a varied and interesting trials portfolio for the successful candidate. An interest in working with young people would be beneficial.

The Rare Tumour Research Team currently consists of 5 Research Nurses and 1 Research practitioner. They are supported by a team of clinical trial coordination staff. We manage the recruitment and support of patients enrolled to clinical trials receiving various treatments and trial interventions across medical and clinical oncology. Research nursing is an exciting and developing role, supported through the R&I division with a good education and development package in place to ensure that staff reach their potential. This post presents an excellent opportunity to join the Rare Tumour Research Team and manage a varied portfolio of oncology studies. This can include early and late phase international studies with investigational drugs, studies involving tumour treating fields, investigator‑led studies and biomarker studies.

The post holder will work with a wide multi‑disciplinary team of consultants, clinical research nurses, clinical trial administrators, key workers, research fellows and specialist nurses. Key responsibilities of the post include the coordination of the trial protocols and support for trial patients. Central to this role is the responsibility of assessing and managing the care pathways including the delivery of all specified treatments for participants in research. A background in oncology, flexibility in working, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience in clinical research and/or with patients with CNS or sarcoma cancers would be desirable but not essential.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Clinical Research Co‑ordination
• Work autonomously in all areas of practice relating to clinical research.
• Understand and deliver care in accordance with regulatory approved clinical research protocols.
• Understand the process for obtaining NHS permissions (R&D approval) for conducting clinical trials at site.
• As project lead, ensure permissions are in place prior to any patient recruitment.
• Participate in clinical trial feasibilities and risk assessments of clinical trial protocols.
• Ensure all clinical trial activities are recorded in appropriate systems in a timely manner.
• Awareness of trial‑specific, regional and national targets.
• Identify and implement strategies for recruiting patients to clinical trials ensuring that targets for patient recruitment are delivered.
• Delegation and oversight of research‑related activities to research team members (clinical and administrative) and ensure compliance with SOPs and ICH/GCP.
• Arrange and facilitate clinical trial related meetings.
• Involvement in appropriate financial remunerations for clinical trial activity.
• Clinical Service and Professional Responsibilities
• Assimilation of highly complex information relating to clinical trials and communication to patients at a level appropriate to their understanding.
• Ensure highly sensitive information is communicated to patients, relatives, and carers regarding prognosis.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and review of specialist care pathways in conjunction with appropriate personnel.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge in specialist area to maintain clinical excellence.
• Demonstrate awareness of divisional and trust strategic objectives including performance indicators and metrics.
• Escalate governance issues impacting on delivery of job purpose.
• Act as a primary contact point for the clinical trial patients and act as adviser to other health care professionals.
• Maintain professional knowledge and practice through mandatory and specialist training in accordance with local policy.
• Ensuring care delivery standards in accordance with trial protocol, local policy, NMC Code of Practice Conduct and current best practice.
• Develop and maintain a high‑quality service by overseeing the safe administration of all licensed and unlicensed medicinal products within a clinical trial.
• Oversee assessment and evaluation of treatment toxicities and initiate appropriate intervention.
• Contribute to development of specialist Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines.
• Provide education and support for non‑research staff in the delivery of protocol‑driven treatment for all patients.
• Participate in monitoring and audit activities within research team.
• Carry out non‑medical prescribing within scope of professional practice and in accordance with local policies and national legislation (optional and depending on clinical service needs).
• Personal Education, Training and Development
• Maintain professional development whilst evaluating own specialist knowledge and practice through a process of appraisal and personal development planning.
• Promote the role of the clinical research nurse as an integral part of the healthcare system.
• Remain current on advances in cancer treatments, research and nursing practice, thereby maintaining the highest standard of care for patients with cancer and implementing evidence‑based care through continuing professional development.
• Participate in trust‑wide education programmes and study days.
• Obtain clinical supervision as appropriate.
• Keep up to date with departmental, Trust, UK and EU developments for the management of clinical research ensuring timely, effective implementation of changes.
• Attend team and divisional meetings.
• Staff Management and Development
• Support the Senior Clinical Research Nurse in the induction and continued supervision of junior staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory compliance and legislation.
• Develop specialist study days within own research team.
• Assist in the provision of specialist education and training in relation to clinical trials to all key stakeholders.
• Disseminate information by attendance and/or presentations at local, national and international conferences and meetings.
• Contribute to the development of members of the research team.

All personnel involved in clinical research have a responsibility to ensure that clinical trials are conducted in accordance with the EU Directive and ICH/GCP.